Adherence

Higher consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (candy, take-out, baked sweets) and lower consumption of nutrient-dense core foods (whole grains, breakfast cereals) are significantly associated with higher scores on the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), indicating addictive-like eating behaviors.

Focus on the quality of your diet, not just the quantity. If you find yourself struggling with cravings or loss of control over eating, look at the types of foods you are consuming. Diets high in candy, take-out, and baked sweets, and low in whole grains and core foods, are linked to higher levels of addictive-like eating behaviors. Try reducing these specific food categories and increasing whole-grain products and breakfast cereals to see if it helps manage these behaviors.